A new way of controlling model railroads by modelers for modelers.

The OpenLCB™
project is developing an easy but sophisticated network for model
railroad control using today's technology.

It is the
basis for NMRAnet / S-9.7 Standard bus.

This
website describes OpenLCB, a developing Local Control Bus (LCB) used
to control model railroad accessories. It is designed
to make set-up of simple and complex layouts easier. It is not meant
to replace DCC, but rather work along side it. It makes your operator
consoles, CTCs, and accessories more effective by bringing everything
together into one system. Your investment in DCC, CTC, signals and
turnouts is protected. Cabling and connection is simple and low cost
--- and usually pre-made but can be DIY assembled needed. Bus wiring
consists of a single network cable and a single power supply cable.
Configuration is simple and easy to manage.

To
see how this works, look at the second video on thispage
– which shows how things are actually programmed. The third video
shows some more-complex programming. You can re-use things you have,
like signals, BOD's, turnouts, train ID sensors, RFID, structure
lighting and the like, but connect them in ways you never thought
possible, to achieve full prototypical accuracy and detail. Add
complex new technology easily, such as sound effects, TV in
structures, timetable signs in stations, outdoor video displays,
structure lighting fully controlled and much more as time goes on.
Hopefully different manufacturers will support a common standard and
so the range of products available will grow.

It
is Easy to use:Whether
you want to do simple setup by just pushing buttons on boards, or use
a full-featured configuration tool, OpenLCB makes setup easy.

It
protects your investment:From your first
two boards through huge modular layouts, OpenLCB equipment will grow
with your railroad, and you can still connect and use your legacy
equipment.

It
is simple to expand:OpenLCB
equipment can be added withoutworrying about
ID conflicts, withoutkeeping track of
complicated address assignments, and never being forced to go back
and reconfigure equipment – all while working with your existing
model-railroad controls.

Quick
Peaks:

If
you are a novice, or just want a simple user-view, without technical
detail, see the "First
Look" page, or the“Brochure”.

November
2012:
All the DevKitshave been
allocated. We are contemplating another promotion, and would
appreciate suggestions. For those that missed the DevKit, you can
assemble your own by obtaining the parts from RailStars.com and
TCHTechnology.com. Please contact the egroup, or
openlcbdevkit@gmail.com
for more information. Thanks for your support!

July 2012:
The first two documents of the NMRAnet Standards Suite were formally
accepted by the NMRA Board at the annual NMRA meeting, this year in
Grand Rapids.

March
2012:
The
DevKitis
available and shipping is starting. The cost (co-pay) is $50 +
shipping. Please contact openlcbdevkit@gmail.com
for more information, or to apply for one.

December
2011:ADevKit
is in active development. The NMRA will purchase some of these for
development / demonstration of NMRAnet.

Fall 2011:At
its July 2011 meeting, the NMRA Board decided to proceed with NMRAnet
/ S-9.7 based on OpenLCB designs.

Welcome to the project! We all benefit
by working on this together. Questions and comment can be directed to
the egroup: OpenLCB

How to get
started:

There is
prototype hardware is based on:

* the AVR-based Arduino
platform at Hobbyists,
including: * LEDunino,
a ATMega328-based compatible from Silicon Railway;* Railroad
Shield from SPCoast;* Io
Developer's Board, an AT90CAN -based compatible from Railstars,
* Io:duino,
an Arduino-compatible AT90CAN-based board also from Railstars used
as a platform for a throttle and a command station, and its
associated * CMDArduino,
a library for a Command Station, from Railstars; * the new DevKit
from Railstars / NMRA.

Other Efforts

The NMRA has an effort to create an
“NMRAnet” layout control bus standard. OpenLCB is being proposed
for that. Currently, the NMRA is focusing the NMRAnet discussions on
a common standard for CAN physical layers. For more information on
OpenLCBs work on NMRAnet, our NMRA
proposals section.